Russian Military in Ukraine

Russian Military in Ukraine

A member of the Ukrainian Emergency Service looks at the City Hall building in the central square following shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on March 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Pavel Dorogoy)

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Incident Code

RUK097

Incident date

April 4, 2022

Location

Кулиничі, Kulinichi, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.986288, 36.387795 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the early morning hours of April 4th, 2022, suspected Russian shells fell upon the village of Kulinichi in Kharkiv, injuring three civilians.

XC_Kharkiv reported that “a kindergarten, a hospital and about five houses were destroyed.” Additionally, the three wounded were removed from the rubble left behind by the shells.

Telegram accounts Huyovy_Kharkiv and XC_Kharkiv attributed shelling of the village of Kulinichi to Russian forces. Huyovy_Kharkiv pointed out Russian claims that they are “demilitarizing” alongside images of damage to buildings.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Kulinichi on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Huyovy_Kharkiv)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Kulinichi on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Huyovy_Kharkiv)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Kulinichi on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Huyovy_Kharkiv)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Kulinichi on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Huyovy_Kharkiv)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Kulinichi on April 4, 2022. (Image posted by Huyovy_Kharkiv)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kulinichi (Кулиничі), for which the generic coordinates are: 49.986288, 36.387795. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK167

Incident date

May 1, 2022

Location

Уди, Udy, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.39053562460109, 36.06794838616318 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On 1st May 2022, at 11:30 am, the Russian armed forces reportedly shelled villages including Udy in the Bohodukhiv district of the Kharkiv region. Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group reported that the artillery shelling hit amongst other infrastructure a car, killing one women immediately and wounding the two other passengers, a man and another woman. Luidmilla Denisova, in a Facebook post, noted that the shelling also damaged two residential buildings and an educational institution.

The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor announced that investigators of the Bogodukhiv district police department of the GUNP in the Kharkiv region examined the shelling site. The State Security Service of the Kharkiv region will handle the pretrial investigation.

This assessment has reference to ACLED codes UKR56931, UKR56995, UKR56948 and UKR71254.

The incident occured at 11:30:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Investigators examining shelling site
  • Liudmila Denisova's facebook post

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Udy (Уди), for which the generic coordinates are: 50.39053562460109, 36.06794838616318. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK012

Incident date

February 27, 2022

Location

Кунье, Kunye, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.393164, 37.240925 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 27th, 2022, in Kunye village, in Izyumsky district, Kharkiv oblast, three civilians were reportedly killed and two injured by Russian shelling on a school. A fire was allegedly caused by the shelling that hit Zhovtneviy street. The head of Kunye rural territorial community, Nerses Nersisyan, reported that the shelling damaged the school and several houses nearby. @antiputler_news twitted that it occurred at around 8 pm local time. According to Valery Marchenko, chairman of Izyum city, the injured were taken to Izyumsky hospital for treatment.

According to several local sources, two civilians died where the attack took place, while another one later died in hospital. The chairman of Izyum city added that all the victims came from Kunye village.

The incident occured at approximately 8:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Three civilians were reportedly killed and two others injured by a Russian shelling on a school in Kunye village, on February 27th, 2022. Source: 2day.kh
  • On February 27, 2022, a school was hit by Russian shelling, leading to 3 civilians killed and 2 injured in Kunye village. Source: Obrii.com

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the secondary school of Kunye (Кунье), for which the generic coordinates are: 49.393164, 37.240925. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.  

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK156

Incident date

April 28, 2022

Location

Покотилівка, Pokotylivka, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.914123, 36.173651 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that thirty houses, a school and a school administration building were destroyed in Pokotylivka by alleged Russian shelling on April 28, 2022, killing up to two civilians and wounding up to seven others.

Twitter user @HromadskeUA provided information that two men were killed in the shelling. Hromadske News also quoted Nataliya Popova, an adviser to the chairman of the Kharkiv Regional Council, who stated that “as a result of Russian shelling of Pokotylivka, civilians were injured. Previously, 3 people were injured. The building collapsed. There are people under the rubble. Rescuers are working,”

The Kharkiv regional prosecutor’s office reported that an investigation had been launched into Russian shelling that lasted about 10 hours and resulted in the death of two men and the injury of seven other civilians.

Trukha Ukraine posted on Telegram that as a consequence of the shelling, one person died and two others were injured.

According to Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group, the rescue operation lasted all day because there were people in the school building.

This assessment has reference to ACLED codes UKR56748 and UKR56966.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Pokotylivka on April 28, 2022. (Image posted by TrukhaUkraine via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Pokotylivka on April 28, 2022. (Image posted by TrukhaUkraine via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Pokotylivka on April 28, 2022. (Image posted by TrukhaUkraine via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Pokotylivka on April 28, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Pokotylivka on April 28, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Pokotylivka on April 28, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of Pokotylivka on April 28, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office via Telegram)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the village of Pokotylivka (Покотилівка). Analysing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 49.914123, 36.173651.

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  • Imagery:
    Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office

  • Imagery:
    Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office

  • Imagery:
    Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK005

Incident date

February 25, 2022

Location

Державний біотехнологічний університет, State Biotechnical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.041320, 36.194789 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 25th 2022, two civilians were wounded near the State Biotechnical University in Lozovenki when an alleged Russian shell hit a passing car.

According to local sources, all of the students and employees were in a shelter and were not injured.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR53878.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the vicinity of the Lozovinka campus of the State Biotechnical University (Державний біотехнологічний університет), for which the generic coordinates are: 50.041320, 36.194789. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK036

Incident date

March 7, 2022

Location

вул. Каштанова & Дергачёвский лицей № 3, Kashtanova Street & Dergachev Lyceum No. 3, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

50.108270, 36.114390 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Additional Geolocations

50.109481, 36.120553 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On March 7th, at 9:30 am, Russian troops allegedly begun shelling the town of Dergachi with artillery, specifically cluster munitions. There were also reports that the troops shot at the town. Vyacheslav Zadorenko, chairman of the Dergachi commune, reported that the munitions hit Dergachi Lyceum No. 3, and other residential parts, killing at least three people and injuring 15. The chairman revealed that the injured were taken to Dergachyoy Central Hospital. News sources like Suspilne and Kharkiv Today quoted Zadorenko’s statement.

The chairman revealed that one of the 15 injured was a four year old child and also referenced information that one of the three dead was killed on Kashtanova Street. Suspilne quoted his observations that “the roof of the lyceum was damaged, windows were broken and there were traces of shots in the school yard”. The pictures in media sources and his Facebook corroborate this account. The school can be seen with windows broken.

The shelling further damaged the town’s power grid infrastructure, leaving residents without access to electricity and its gas supply. Emergency Services allegedly handled the issue of the gas.

Three twitter handles, expressing sympathies towards Russia, tweeted the same response to these allegations “Unfortunately the evacuation of Kharkiv has been disrupted by the Ukroreich. There is firing from residential areas right now along the ring road towards Saltovka np Dergachi. The Ukronazis are firing 120 mm, 152 mm artillery and MLRS. No evacuation in such a situation is out of the question”.

The incident occured at 09:30:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Gas facility, Power Station, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Source: Viacheslav Zadorenko's Facebook. Broken windows of lyceum
  • Source: Viacheslav Zadorenko's Facebook. Broken windows of lyceum, damages inside school.
  • Source: Viacheslav Zadorenko's facebook. Impact site of shelling in lyceum yard.
  • Source: Objektiv TV . Broken windows of lyceum facing into courtyard with shots in snow.

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple locations being struck. Kashtanova Street (вулиці Каштановій), for which the generic coordinates are: 50.108270, 36.114390; and the Dergachev Lyceum No. 3 (Дергачёвский лицей № 3), for which the exact coordinates are: 50.109481, 36.120553.

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  • Imagery:
    Viacheslav Zadorenko

  • Imagery:
    Viacheslav Zadorenko

  • Imagery:
    Viacheslav Zadorenko

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Gas facility, Power Station, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK065

Incident date

March 17, 2022

Location

Мерефа, Merefa, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.809894, 36.056189 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On March 17th, alleged Russian bombardment struck the village of Merefa, wounding up to 26 people and killing up to 23 others. Sources were conflicted as to whether those killed were members of the Ukrainian military or civilians.

Susplilne Media described a Russian “artillery” attack upon Merefa. Twitter user @tincazzi posted pictures of the remains of an alleged Russian missile, asking for followers to help identify what the user believed was a “long range cruise missile”. Telegram user Kharkiv_1654 posted that a “Russian rocket blew up a school today in the city of Merefa.” The initial report from Suspline described the scene in Merefa, at 3:30 a.m., saying that Russian shelling destroyed a school and a cultural center, and damaged nearby houses. Suspline went on to quote Veniamin Sitov, head of the Merefyansk community: “We got to the center of the cultural center, nothing was left of it. There were people in it. Of the civilians, thank God, there are no victims, there are some of the military. The civilians managed to escape the destruction, the military was sent to the hospital,” said Sitov.

According to the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, 21 people died, 25 were injured, 10 of them were in serious condition. This report was later released and supported by Censor.Net News, Slk.kh.ua, Slovoidilo.ua, and Zaxid News. Zaxid was the first to list the number of wounded as twenty-six. In addition to the detail about the destruction, these reports, as well as Facebook posts from Prokuratura Kharkiv, also noted that investigators of the State Security Service of Ukraine in the Kharkiv Region launched a pre-trial investigation into the fact of violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

RBC-Ukraine News reported that, “in the Kharkiv region, the consequences of enemy attacks on Merefa continue to be eliminated. The number of dead and injured continues to grow.” Sq.com.ua and and Newsroom.kh.ua later noted an increase in casualties, both elevating the number of wounded to twenty-six and the dead to twenty-three.

A Telegram message by user Perviy Kharkovskyi, identified as a Telegram channel with a clear pro-Russian stance, reiterated that a Russian “Kalibr” missile caused the casualties but referred to those killed and injured as soldiers, and went on to question why soldiers were in a school and the cultural center, “civilian objects.”

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR53681 and Bellingcat code CIV0410.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 26
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–23
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–26
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–23

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (46) [ collapse]

  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by @tincazzi)
  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by @tincazzi)
  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by @tincazzi)
  • Destruction caused by an alleged Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by @tincazzi)
  • Merefa, Kharkiv region, bombed the 6th school
  • Type of Russian missile that allegedly struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv_1654 via Telegram)
  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv_1654 via Telegram)
  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv_1654 via Telegram)
  • Remains of what was allegedly identified as a Russian missile that struck the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Kharkiv_1654 via Telegram)
  • Emergency services respond to alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by 2day.kh.ua)
  • Emergency services respond to alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by 2day.kh.ua)
  • Emergency services respond to alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by DSNS via Telegram)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Censor)
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Prokuratura Kharkiv
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Prokuratura Kharkiv)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News via Telegram)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News via Telegram)
  • Destruction caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Truexa News via Telegram)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Consequences of alleged Russian shelling of the center of Merefa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by RBC-Ukraine and taken by Getty)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merafa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Parlament.ua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merafa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Parlament.ua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merafa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Parlament.ua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merafa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Parlament.ua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling of the village of Merafa on March 17, 2022. (Image posted by Parlament.ua)
  • Near Kharkov, they attacked the city of Merefa. A fire is raging there.
  • 21 people died, 25 were injured as a result of the night shelling of the city of Merefa near Kharkiv - the regional prosecutor's office. As a result of enemy shelling, the school and cultural center were destroyed.
  • Merefa School again. House of culture. Victims

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Merefa (Мерефа), for which the generic coordinates are: 49.809894, 36.056189. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 26
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–23
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–26
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–23

Sources (38) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RUK056

Incident date

March 14, 2022

Location

Чугуївський дитячий садок № 3, Chuhuiv Kindergarten No. 3, Kharkiv, Ukraine

Geolocation

49.831893, 36.684352 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was reported killed as a result of shrapnel wounds from an alleged Russian shelling of the city of Chuhuiv on March 14th, 2022.

According to local sources Suspilne Kharkiv and Rodenko Oleksandr via Facebook, shell fragments from artillery fired at a kindergarten resulted in the death of a teenage boy. Police also reported the death of the young boy and stated that “the total number of casualties is being established”.

Though the press service of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, cited by Comments.ua, identified the victim as a 15-year-old boy, police described the victim as 16-years old.

The head of the SIU of the SSMP in the Kharkiv region, Sergey Bolvinov, cited by Objectiv, reported that the shelling of Chuhuiv damaged the kindergarten, three multi-storey buildings and two private houses. Ukrainska pravda reported that a hospital, yards, parks, and markets were shelled in addition to the kindergarten and residential houses.

The Office of the General Prosecutor reported via Facebook that, under the procedural supervision of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, the investigators of the SBU Special Forces initiated an ongoing pre-trial investigation into the violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder (Part 2 Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

All sources alleged Russian responsibility for the strike, with a tweet from @ArtyomShegeda specifying that a “grad” missile was used.

The police, cited by Ukrainska pravda, stated that investigative and operational teams were gathering physical evidence from the sites of all the bombings to further document Russian crimes.

This assessment has reference to ACLED code UKR53324.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • Сhuhuiv

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    WAR [ Russia Ukraine Kharkiv ], [14 Mar. 2022 at 22:47] ⚡️The flight of missiles in Chuguev, Kharkiv region.
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Objectiv News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Objectiv News)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Objectiv News)
  • Body of a victims of alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Comments.ua)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Comments.ua)
  • Remains of alleged Russian shell part of an attack in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Ukrainska pravda)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Ukrainska pravda)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Newsroom)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Police of Kharkiv region via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Police of Kharkiv region via Telegram)
  • Remains of alleged Russian shell part of an attack in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Police of Kharkiv region via Telegram)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian shelling in Chuguev on March 14, 2022. (Image posted by Police of Kharkiv region via Telegram)
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Chuhuiv Reporter
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Rodenko Oleksandr
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Slobidskyi Krai
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Kharkiv regional prosecutor’s office
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Office of General Prosecutor

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a kindergarten in the town of Chuhuiv (Чугуїв). Analyzing audiovisual material from sources we have identified the kindergarten as Chuhuiv Kindergarten No. 3 (Чугуївський дитячий садок № 3), and narrowed the location of the casualty there down to the following exact coordinates: 49.831893, 36.684352.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Exact Location","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[36.684352,49.831893],"type":"Point"}}]}

  • Tagged visual material from sources

    Imagery:
    Objectiv News

  • Tagged visual material from Google Maps. There are two staircases like this mirrored on each side of the kindergarten, but it is this staircase which matches the orientation of images from the strike

    Imagery:
    Карина Босенко

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]